HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is pleased to announce the new contraflow initiative on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli is scheduled to open Aug. 10, 2016. The pilot initiative aims to add an additional lane of capacity in the westbound direction during the busy afternoon commute between 3:30 – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The 1.5-mile contraflow operation begins at Piliokahi Avenue and ends in the vicinity of Nanaikeola Street. During the contraflow hours there will be three Waianae bound lanes that are open to all drivers including single occupancy vehicles. There will be a single lane in the Honolulu bound direction. Left turns will not be permitted in the Honolulu bound direction to Helelua Street, Haleakala Avenue and Nanakuli Avenue. To accommodate those seeking to turn left, motorists will be able to use a detour from Laumania Avenue through Pohakunui Avenue to Piliokahi Avenue.

This project is in conjunction with the Farrington Highway turning lane improvements which are currently underway and are anticipated to be completed next year, weather permitting. The project includes constructing a dedicated fifth lane that will allow left turn lanes onto Nanakuli Avenue, Haleakala Avenue and Helelua Street. This improvement will prevent traffic from cuing up behind a vehicle that is waiting for an opening to turn. Instead, the through traffic will be able to continue while the turning vehicle waits in the new fifth lane. Once the turning lane project is complete, we anticipate there will not be the need for the contraflow lane.

The contraflow is part of the efforts by the Governor David Ige administration to find effective traffic relief solutions that can be implemented quickly with the existing infrastructure, without spending a large amount of money. Some of the other system preservation and safety projects HDOT is working on include:

Contracting a tow truck stationed on Farrington Highway near Nanakuli during the morning and afternoon commute times to quickly respond to disabled vehicles

Fiber connectivity and traffic cameras to be installed in Leeward Oahu to monitor traffic flow and allow for real time adjustment of signals

(Implemented)

New 24/7 lane added to the H-1 Freeway westbound in Pearl City

H-1 westbound shoulder lane from the Aiea Heights Drive overpass to the Waimalu/Pearl City off-ramp (Exit 10) to reduce afternoon commute traffic. Use of this lane has been extended 90 additional minutes and is now open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.